Half of all women complain of distress during their cycles. Menstrual pain is the leading reason women call out sick from work.
Gynecologists often recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other medication when women bring this problem to their attention. If this doesn’t help, they may do exploratory surgery. Sometimes doctors will even remove a woman’s reproductive organs in an effort to get the cramps under control. However, this is a very radical “solution” that carries enormous implications, especially if the woman wants to have children.
Natural Menstrual Cramp Remedies
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase a product I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you.)
That’s why I’m so glad I own a formula called Rapid Relief Synergy Blend. This contains a special mix of essential oils noted for their natural analgesic properties.
When Period Pain is Disruptive
Pain is very subjective. What’s excruciating for one person may not really bother someone else.
Until a few decades ago, though, from what I understand, doctors often dismissed extreme menstrual pain as a psychological issue. Now it’s known that painful periods can be extremely disruptive, to the point where they can derail studies or a career.
Treating Menstrual Pain Naturally
It’s believed menstrual pain is caused by an excess of prostaglandin hormones, which triggers painful uterine contractions. This is why NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, are often recommended for cramps. This drug, which comes in an over-the-counter strength, is usually the first thing a mainstream medical practitioner will suggest.
However, NSAIDs can cause side effects, some of which are serious. In rare cases, this drug may also trigger a life-threatening immune reaction known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Fortunately, a number of other safe, natural alternatives exist for woman who watch the calendar, dreading that time when their period is due. I can’t make any claims or promises any holistic remedy is going to help, but I can share my personal experience. Also, I do urge you to seek medical immediate attention for severe pain or excessive menstrual bleeding.
Homeopathy for Menstrual Pain
The correct homeopathic remedy can offer quick relief from severe menstrual cramps. (I’ve seen this with my own eyes.)
Your homeopath can prescribe something for an “acute” situation, such when the pain flares during your cycle. He or she can also treat you long term for whatever underlying condition is causing the discomfort.
Taking the right remedy during your cycle can potentially bring quick relief each month. (At least this is what happened for my daughter.) However, in order to solve the problem and restore the balance in your body, you’ll probably need ongoing homeopathic treatment.
Does Homeopathy Help Menstrual Pain?
This approach can work wonderfully, but it takes time. You’ll also want to work with a professional homeopath. (If you don’t already have a homeopath, try asking for a referral at your local health food store. Or, you can ask a chiropractor you trust.)
My daughter has suffered from painful periods for years. This forced her to miss one or two days of school each month.
Each month I’d have to call our homeopath for the correct remedy. The remedy would change according to her symptoms. As soon as she took the right pellets, her pain subsided within minutes. However, it was the ongoing care that seemed to lessen the cramps. My daughter now has less discomfort each month, which is no longer as debilitating.
Homeopathic Formula for Menstrual Pain
I realize how difficult it can be to find a good homeopath. Until you’re able to find the right practitioner, you may want to consider an intermediate step, such as a broad spectrum remedy designed for menstrual cramps, such as the Hylands Homeopathic Menstrual Cramp Tablets shown here.
Hyland’s Menstrual Pain Formula
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I do need to tell you that I’ve never tried this particular formula, because we’ve worked with our own homeopath, who has prescribed individual remedies. But I do own a number of other Hyland’s remedies. If I were taking the remedy, I’d take it judiciously. Just one dose, to see what it did. I’d hold off on taking another dose unless it was needed. (This is what my own homeopath instructs.) That’s because I’d want to avoid taking too many doses, which can cause “aggravations.” This is a temporary intensification of the symptoms you’re trying to get rid of.
Can Essential Oils Help Menstrual Cramps?
Some women find relief with essential oils. Now, there’s some scientific basis that stands behind this practice. A team of Korean researchers studied two groups of teenage girls who suffered from menstrual cramps. One group took acetaminophen and the others rubbed essential oils on their stomachs. This is the group that found the most relief.
The study was published in the journal of Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine. The authors concluded the oils worked, but they weren’t sure if it was the oils themselves or the massage. These findings were confirmed in a later Egyptian study that appeared in the same publication.
Using Essential Oils for Menstrual Cramps
In any event, a growing number of women right now reach for their essential oils each month, as word is starting to get out that these all-natural plant-based extracts can help. In our home, we use Plant Therapy essential oils. I totally trust Plant Therapy products, which aren’t sold through an MLM network. All of its oils are tested twice for potency and purity. One test is run by an independent lab.
Aromatherapy for Menstrual Pain
The Plant Therapy website recommends either the Rapid Relief Synergy Blend or the company’s Muscle Aid Synergy Blend for menstrual pain. These blends must be diluted with a carrier oil before using. (Olive, grapeseed or coconut oil make good carriers.) A standard 2 percent dilution is 3 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier.
I own the Rapid Relief formula and I love it. (I use it for my chronic nerve pain.) I haven’t used the Muscle Aid blend yet.
Plant Therapy Rapid ReliefPlant Therapy Muscle Aid
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Women trying to conceive, or who could be pregnant, shouldn’t use essential oils.
TENS Machine for Menstrual Pain
The TENS Machine, developed by the 3M Company, first came onto the market in the late 1980’s. This is based upon a principle called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), something that has been used to alleviate chronic pain for years in the United States and Europe. (It should never be used by anyone trying to conceive or if there’s a possibility they can be pregnant.)
Scientists are still studying the mechanisms of how TENS can help with pain, and how to best use these devices in clinical practice. Meanwhile, a growing number of people seem to have discovered TENS, and the research does seem to support this concept as a potential drug free pain control option.
When it was first introduced, the TENS unit cost was very expensive. Since then, they’ve become much easier for anyone to own. Here is a popular home TENS unit that’s sold online.
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Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, homeopathic remedies or TENS units unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For More Reading
Aromatherapy Massage and Menstrual Pain Study
